Quantum physics tells us that reality is far beyond human perception
and intuition. In other words, our rational mind and common sense
are just not capable of understanding the true nature of reality.

Einstein's theory of relativity introduced a new way of looking
at the physical properties of the universe. The Newtonian constraints
of absolute time and space were abandoned. Time and space were
unified and made relative, it formed a continuum that curved and
enfolded about itself. Gravity was a distortion of this continuum
caused by the presence of mass. From this, the famous formula
e=mc~ was derived. (e=energy, m=mass, c=the speed of light, the
magical constant in the system, the absolute maximum speed that
anything can travel.)

So Einstein's famous theory has one absolute (speed of light)
in a relative universe, and it forms a kind of boundary around
all we can know. Even though this theory has been borne out by
many experiments, its consequences appear very bizarre. Objects
shrink when they are in motion, space time curves, light is bent
by gravity etc.

After formulating his theory of relativity, Einstein spent the
rest of his life trying to find a 'unified field theory'. In other
words he was trying to tie together the workings of the physical
world in one theory or formula, a theory of everything. To this
day, scientists are still searching for a way of integrating the
theories of quantum and relativity, for as far as scientists are
aware at present these theories contradict one another. To the
scientific imagination a contradiction cannot be built into nature,
it must be in our minds.

Even though Einstein had a deep sense of the mystical or spiritual,
he refused to let go of his classical insistence that a rational
explanation or theory could be found, i.e., the world was accessible
to human reason.

This dilemma for Einstein can be seen when he said that he believed
in the possibility of expressing everything scientifically, but
contradicted himself saying that such an expression would be meaningless
when describing a Beethoven symphony as a variation of wave pressure.
Of course the meaning and effect of the music would be missing.

Chaos theory seems to fit into the picture at this point. It is
in essence a reversal of the classical view that the physical
laws are what count, and local disturbances are relatively trivial.
In chaos theory local disturbances can be ultimately overwhelming
and, just as important, we cannot tell when they are about to
overwhelm us.

A strange concealed order has been revealed by chaos theory. If
we run large numbers of variations of simple equations on a computer,
patterns emerge. The most famous of these patterns is the Mandelbrot
set. Every magnification of the pattern reveals more elaborate
layers made up of shapes like gingerbread men linked together
in swirls, repeating in more and more complexity. These patterns
seem to illustrate infinity, and the gingerbread men seem to represent
the incredible creative and energetic complexity of reality.

I hope I have sufficiently described these three theories (Relativity,
Quantum, and Chaos) to give the reader some insights into how
all is not what it seems. The world is indeed stranger than anything
our rational mind can grasp.

The more we explore these "new science' avenues, the more illusory
our universe seems to be. I feel that we must again look at some
Eastern concepts because they seem to be more and more relevant
as we explore the mysteries of "new' science. The more I have
reflected on the meaning of the "new' science of quantum, relativity
and chaos, the more it has reminded me of the ancient Indian traditional
concept of Maya.

Maya is quite a difficult concept to define in simple terms. I
envisage it as a multi- layered web of illusion. The deeper one
goes into the web, the more intricate and tangled the illusion
becomes. It applies, I feel, to the latest scientific exploration
of the physical world. Until the "new' science, we have only been
scratching around on the surface of this Maya. As we go deeper
into it, the bizarre twists and turns seem to push the answers
further from our grasp. When we confront this web of illusion,
it takes us closer to the boundaries of human awareness. We realise
even more that the explanations of the infinite cannot be attained
using finite means. (see Godel's theorem later in this chapter.)

This next observation should be viewed in a very general open
minded way. It is not intended as any kind of conclusive proof,
but purely as a glimpse of something which may help in our search
for clues. In the field of higher mathematics we find Godel's
theorem. In very simple terms, it states that it is not possible
to know everything about a particular situation from within that
situation. In other words, one must be in a position outside the
arena of specified activity. As our viewpoint of a particular
situation widens, there will always be an even deeper perspective
which will give yet more information. It is not possible in the
rational world to reach that point where the highest perspective
has been reached.

In mathematics it applies to axioms in mathematical theories,
but I feel it applies in more general situations.

An example would be, where someone is sitting inside a building
with no windows, which is balanced over the edge of a cliff. All
observations and calculations from within the building will be
totally incapable of determining the fate of its occupant. But
to an observer outside, the situation will be very obvious.

I have read several top selling books recently which try to explain
God and reality in scientific terms. The authors are all eminent
scientists who give incredibly in-depth theories, calculations
and hypotheses. These books can be so intense and technical that
after a few pages, one's head is "completely in a spin'. These
types of books possibly satisfy the intellectuals, giving them
"mind fodder' and mental exercise.

It strikes me that this is a situation very much in keeping with
Godel's theorem. Intellectuals can delve into the most intricate,
complicated theorems and calculations, but they will never understand
the "big picture' from within the confines of their "rational
perspective'. It is only when they step outside the world of the
"physical illusion' that the "web of Maya' will begin to lift.

Sages and seers in ancient times who spoke of the spiritual side
of nature, gained their insight by moving beyond the confines
of the rational physical world. In a similar way to the principles
of Godel's theorem, the ancient mystics gained access by deep
meditation to a perspective beyond the physical, in order to attain
a more complete picture of the physical realm.

In other words, when we are within the illusion of physical reality
it is not possible using its own internal methods and concepts
to fully understand it. By accessing or looking from a higher
level of awareness beyond the boundaries of the "physical illusion',
we escape the constraints imposed on us by the finite physical
world. To a rational scientific person this may all sound like
something out of a science fiction novel. But remember that I
stated earlier in the book that unless we can relate physically
to our ideas, they are not reality for us.

At this point I would like to introduce what in my opinion is
a kind of "unified field theory'. This is what Einstein searched
for in vain. The reason for Einstein's failure, is that access
to it is beyond mathematics, test tubes and intellectual activity.
The intellect can merely confirm its operation.

This theory cannot be accessed with the rational mind, although
the rational mind can observe and confirm its operation. The "Param
Chaitanya' or all pervading power which exists throughout the
universe is the elusive "unified field' for which Einstein searched
in vain. It encompasses all of the physical cosmos, and also the
realm of the spiritual or Virata in Eastern tradition. Its basic
units of propagation (in simplistic terms) are what can be called
"vibrations'. At last mankind is at the point of conscious interface
between the physical and spiritual. This interface is entered
without effort or thought, it is spontaneous and natural. It can
be felt via the central nervous system as a physical sensation,
it is an actualisation, not something imagined as a theory or
concept.

The following quote from a leading magazine seems to indicate
that even the international corporate world is looking towards
the search for inner meaning:

"There's more to us than the snivelling, snarling organism that
craves power and approval. The clarity and contentment we seek
lies deep inside us all.'